The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has come to the residence of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren to question him in an ongoing money laundering investigation. There are speculations that Soren might be arrested by the federal agency after the questioning.
Prohibitory orders (Section 144) have been enforced in the capital city of Ranchi. A three-member team is overseeing law and order, and over 7,000 police personnel have been deployed, with a focus on key locations.
Is Kalpana Soren New CM of Jharkhand?
Before the questioning, Soren had a meeting with leaders from JMM and Congress. If Soren is arrested, his wife Kalpana Soren might be appointed as the next chief minister. Champai Soren, the state’s transport minister, is the second choice. JMM MLAs have reportedly expressed support for Kalpana Soren in a letter, even though she is not an MLA. She attended lawmakers’ meetings on Tuesday.
Why ED is Questioning From Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren?
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren for over seven hours on Saturday 20 Jan. in a money laundering case related to land deals. Soren, who is also the executive president of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), claimed that there was a conspiracy against him.
देश में सीबीआई ई डी का पूर्ण रूप से दुरुपयोग किया जा रहा है, #ED | #HemantSoren | Hemant Soren pic.twitter.com/1tbOS3YdcD
— Er. CHAUDHARY UTTAM CHAND (@UTTAMYKT) January 31, 2024
ED officers arrived at his residence around 1 pm and left after 8.30 pm. Soren had previously skipped seven summonses but agreed to be questioned when the eighth summons was issued. The investigation is focused on an alleged “illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia” in Jharkhand.
No News of CM Hemant Soren For 2 Days
The Jharkhand Chief Minister, representing JMM, was summoned by the ED for a money laundering probe. After being initially questioned on January 20, he received another summons for January 29. However, he was not found at his home or government office during the scheduled visit by ED officials. This situation led to social media banter between JMM and BJP, along with a flood of entertaining memes.
For the next two days, there was a lot of confusion as no one, including his own government, seemed to know or admit to knowing the whereabouts of Mr. Soren. The phones of senior staff members were switched off.
Some allegations, highlighted by the BJP’s Nishikant Dubey, suggested that Mr. Soren might be preparing for his arrest and was avoiding authorities to buy time. There were also claims that he might be trying to appoint his wife, Kalpana Soren, as a puppet Chief Minister so that he could retain power even if he gets arrested.
ED Raid on CM Hemant Soren Delhi House
The Enforcement Directorate searched the Delhi home of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and seized ₹36 lakh, an SUV, and some “incriminating” documents on January 29. The federal agency conducted the search at Soren’s residence in Shanti Niketan, south Delhi, for almost 13 hours. This action is part of an investigation into a money laundering case related to an alleged land deal in Jharkhand.
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